5 replies to this topic

[JenC]

INDEX

 

Current:

Camponotus maritimus (NORCAL) 1 queen, 50-100 workers

Camponotus maritimus (SOCAL) 1 queen, 3 workers

 

 

Old maritimus journal: 

https://www.formicul...l/?hl=maritimus

 

 

 

Last Updated: 7/17/24

Edited by JenC, July 17 2024 - 6:29 PM.

[JenC]

JenC's Camponotus maritimus (NORCAL)

 

Introduction

This is my 2nd journal for Camponotus maritimus, a species endemic to California. This species isn't really kept that much nowadays due to being 'outcompeted' by other ant species in basically all capacities such as color, looks, etc. They're a species that hates light, vibrations, and basically anything that isn't food, water, or themselves. They behave very erratically and are honestly the most interesting when it comes to their behavior. An example being that they will run around and abandon their nest if I try to take pictures. I have very limited pictures of this specific colony due to maritimus not being photogenic and since I've always had other interests (ca02, mendax, etc) that I took pictures of instead. Literally, pictures for this colony are non-existent as you can probably tell from the huge gaps in the dates.

 

A slight reddish hue exists on the workers' and majors' thoraxes if you look closely. 

 

April 2020

Pictures of the queen during founding. 

 

 

May 2024

Pictures of workers drinking honey and eating mealworms. Look at that major!

 

 

June 2024

Pictures of their setup and a major. I had to cover up their test tubes to avoid them scurrying out every time I tried to look at them. Ignore the glaring light...

 

 

I'll take a picture of their queen again one day...

Edited by JenC, June 13 2024 - 11:31 PM.

[JenC]

JenC's Camponotus maritimus (SOCAL)

 

Introduction

This is the 2nd Camponotus maritimus colony that I'm currently keeping. 

 

 

May 30, 2024

First worker!

 

July 17, 2024

A crappy macro lens test I did. A reminder on why I usually use PVA sponges but I thought I might as well share the result. 

 

This will be updated in a couple of years...

Edited by JenC, July 17 2024 - 7:41 PM.

[Stubyvast]

No way...a few years?!?!

 

Weird how they don't know much about this species. That's one thing that can be frustrating about antkeeping: Not much information for some species. Hope your colony does well!

[JenC]

No way...a few years?!?!

 

Weird how they don't know much about this species. That's one thing that can be frustrating about antkeeping: Not much information for some species. Hope your colony does well!

 

Yes the colony is a few years old. Yeah not a ton of information exists on maritimus. Random but something I've found with this species in my experience is that they always tend to max out at around 30 workers in their first year. Also, thanks for the good wishes!

Edited by JenC, June 14 2024 - 5:55 PM.

[JenC]

I added a short test video I did up above. It doesn't really count as an update. 

 

You can see some other cool videos from that channel if you want though...